Political Science Methodology - Einzelansicht

What this course is about: This course provides students with an integrated overview of the key tenets of political science methodology. Starting with a brief examination of the epistemological principles of social science as such, the course then examines systematically each step in what is known as the research chain: concepts and conceptualization, typologies, variables, operationalization, hypothesis-building, types of research design, and causal laws. Along the way, students perform a total of eight methodological analyses of different scholarly works.

Why take this course? This course is taught using the flipped-classroom approach, meaning that in addition to doing standard readings students watch 30-minute videos created by the instructor and posted on the Moodle platform. Once in class, the entire period is devoted to doing practical exercises about applying the methodological tools that have been learned to concrete empirical information.

What will students learn in this course? Upon completing the course, students will be able to:

• understand the main tenets of social science methodology as well as the sequence structure of methodological research;
• compare essential epistemological perspectives on social science as well as formulate their own opinion concerning these issues;
• comprehend and apply the fundamentals of social science research design (large-N, comparative method, single case study);
• be capable of identifying and maturely evaluating the methodological approaches of other scholarly works;
• begin the process of applying the same methodological rigor to one's own work, particularly with a final thesis in mind.

Required readings as well as the videos that are part of the flipped classroom approach will be made available via the Moodle platform.

Key works that will be used include:

Gerring, J. 2011. Social science methodology: A unified framework: Cambridge University Press.

Gschwend, T., and F. Schimmelfennig. 2007. Research design in political science: how to practice what they preach: Palgrave MacMillan. (also available in German!)

Landman, T. 2017. Issues and Methods in Comparative Politics: An Introduction. London: Routledge, 4^th ed.

Shively, W. P. 1990. The craft of political research. London: Routledge, 10^th ed.

Van Evera, S. 1997. Guide to methods for students of political science. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

Wer die erste Sitzung der Lehrveranstaltung versäumt, ohne sich vorher schriftlich oder persönlich zu entschuldigen, kann den Anspruch auf einen Platz in der LV verlieren, wenn es mehr Interessenten als Plätze gibt. Dies gilt ungeachtet der Platzzuweisung durch Friedolin und ist im Einklang mit der grundsätzlichen Aufhebung der Anwesenheitspflicht.

1. HA Termin: 02.03.2020

2. HA Termin: 30.03.2020

This course is focused on practicing and acquiring the skills to do research on politics and social science more broadly. To that end, the main focus is on:

a) working in groups on concrete examples of political science research and identifying the relevant methodological structure of that research;

b) working individually to map out the methodological structure of an academic research article;

c) preparing one's own methodological framework for a political science research project.

Specifically, these activities will be broken down as follows:

1. Two group-analyses of scholarly research (2 x 5 points)

2. Two individual analyses of scholarly research (2 x 25 points)

3. A methodological framework for a possible research project (30 points)

4. Participation in group exercises (10 points)

Final grades will be pro-rated into the German system from the 100-point system listed above.

NB! While students will be required to carry out class discussions and group work in English, they may submit the individual article analyses as well as their proposed research project (i.e. activities nr 2 and 3 above) in German upon prior consultation with the instructor.

The course will encompass the following topics:

1. Political Science in Context
2. Concepts and concept formation
3. Typologies
4. Operationalization
5. Research design, single-case studies
6. Research Design, small-N comparative research
7. Research design, large-N comparative
8. Causal laws
9. Genres of political science

This course is aimed at students who want a solid grounding in political and social science methodology. Because of its flipped classroom approach (with lots of in-class exercises), the course also offers an ideal opportunity for students to hone their critical thinking skills: how do evaluate credible research and carry it out ourselves?